100 Entrepreneurs Lessons Learned

Edward Simms, Veteran, NFL Player, and Entrepreneur

Edward Simms decided as a very small child that he was going be the first in his family to attend college, and he was.  He decided he was going to play football in the NFL, and he did.  He decided to join the military, and he joined.  Now he's determined to succeed as an entrepreneur, and it seems like a very good bet he will!  With a business partner, Edward Simms started Bryan's Paving and has been working through the complex maze of a business startup for the past year, including buying large equipment, hiring teams, selling new business, pricing jobs profitably and funding projects before the company is paid by clients.  Edward joined 100 Entrepreneurs Lessons Learned to talk about how he became an entrepreneur and what he's learned along the way.  

Dog Tag Bakery's Meghan Ogilvie and Kyle Burns

Dog Tag Bakery is a successful company, a restaurant and bakery business offering delicious and prize winning fare on Grace Street in Georgetown, near downtown Washington DC.  Dog Tag Bakery is also an excellent five-month business education program designed for wounded 9/11 veterans, spouses and caregivers. The nonprofit program provides hands-on business skills development, from marketing and networking to human resources management, as well as courses through Georgetown University.  The fourth Cohort of up to a dozen participants is underway now, and applications are being taken for the fifth Cohort, which starts in January.  Dog Tag Inc.'s CEO, Meghan Ogilvie, and Senior Director, Kyle Burns, spoke with 100 Entrepreneurs Foundation about building the program, how it works, who should apply, and what their graduates are doing today. Check out this terrific program at http://www.dogtaginc.org.  If you want to find out more about the bakery and restaurant, check out http://www.dogtagbakery.com.

All Marine Radio Founders, Michael McNamara and Paul and Danielle Gage

Marine Corps veterans Michael McNamara and Paul Gage, along with Paul's wife, Danielle Gage, founded All Marine Radio and launched the internet station on June 1, 2016.  Their mission is to reach veterans with frank talk about relevant issues and their culture, and in the process, provide entertainment.   They will devote a portion of their programming to post-combat mental health and will aim to improve the lives of combat veterans struggling with mental health issues.  All Marine Radio launched with an interview with the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Robert B. Neller.  In the first month, 10's of thousands heard their programs and they have reached more than 100,000 on Facebook per week.  Listen to how they have created their business and grown it so quickly!  And tune it to All Marine Radio!

Army Veteran, Joe DeRing, on Empower Adventures

Joe DeRing, an Army Veteran, started Empower Adventures based upon his experience in the military and the Army's Confidence Course.  Since 2009, Joe has built the business from one location in Connecticut to additional locations in Virginia and Florida.   Empower Adventures includes zipline parks and provides leadership development, adventures and fun for friends and family groups as well as corporate teams.  Joe talks about starting the business, how he found funding during the Great Recession, and how he has expanded it with support from his family and growing base of partners and employees.  

Cindy Flanders Talks About Funding A Small Business

Cindy Flanders, formerly a Sr. Vice President at Bank of America in charge of small and mid-sized business markets and a CFO of a publicly traded company, talks with 100 Entrepreneurs' Amanda Weathersby about how small businesses and startups can secure funding for their businesses.  

John Lee Dumas, Founded A Top Downloaded Podcast, Entrepreneurs On Fire

John Lee Dumas, Army veteran, founded Entrepreneurs On Fire, one of the most successful podcast companies today, in 2012.  It has already grown to over 1,000 podcasts and over a million downloads per month from all over the world.  He has expanded his business with Podcasters Paradise, webinars and a Mastermind group.  His Fire Nation story shows how building free content online can ultimately bring in revenue and profits.  He provides advice about starting a business, building an online business, and setting and meeting goals.  His book, "Podcast Launch" is available on Amazon.  

Kevin Blanchard Talks About Franchises and Startups

Kevin Blanchard, wounded veteran, worked for the International Franchise Association as the Program Manager for VetFran, designed to help franchise companies recruit veterans and family members as franchisees.  Kevin talks about franchise options, the process of becoming a franchisee, programs available to help veterans and family members define which franchise and funding alternatives to purchase a franchise.  He also compares franchises to startups of original business concepts. Recently, Kevin has started his own online business, Journey Beyond Recovery, which is set to launch in the next several months.    

HT Tran, Veteran, Created and Built Anvil Builders in San Francisco

HT Tran, a veteran, created and built Anvil Builders, a building and engineering construction company located in San Francisco, California.  He and two partners have 50 employees.  Their mission is to recruit and hire veterans to provide construction and infrastructure services for large public works.   

Ryan Seelbach On How He Went from the NFL to Creating a Nightclub

Ryan Seelbach worked for the NFL before creating his first business.  Driving through New York City to DC, with nothing but a business plan, some clothes and a car, he panicked.  Would he find investors? Would the business work?  Could he do it?  He and his business partner found the funding and built The Huxley, an upscale nightclub and event venue in DC. Sellback entertainment group is now working on a restaurant.

Joel Damin, Veteran, On His Restaurant and Commercial Real Estate

Joel Damin, veteran and entrepreneur, talks about his restaurant in Fayetteville, NC, and his move to purchase commercial real estate.  Amanda Weathersby, from Mindful Profits, interviews Joel to learn how he got started, how he got funded, and how he manages his businesses to keep them profitable.